NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the world’s largest maker of healthcare products, was close to buying Sunnyvale, California-based cancer drugmaker Pharmacyclics, but came up short in a highly competitive bidding war.

On March 4, AbbVie announced it had agreed to buy Pharmacyclics for about $21 billion.

According to the Financial Times, which did note that the talks with J&J "could still fall apart," the J&J offer was expected to value Pharmacyclics near its $17.5 billion market value or at a premium.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–The city's new Barnes & Noble (B&N) Rutgers University superstore on Somerset Street may soon be part of a different company than the original B&N retail locations.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. announced on February 26 plans to spin off its college bookstore business unit from its B&N's retail, online, and "Nook Digital" businesses. 

EDISON, NJ–On February 25, Costco recalled about 273,000 3-in-1 convertible aluminum imported hand trucks, which sold for $100-$150, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The hand trucks have been recalled due to the following hazard: "The wheel hub can separate or break and eject pieces during inflation, posing a risk of injury to the consumer and bystanders."

PLAINSBORO, NJ—The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced on February 5 that it will commit another $500 million over the next decade to expand efforts in the fight against childhood obesity and ensure that all children in the United States, no matter where they live, can grow up at a healthy weight.

The national movement to address childhoold obesity has been gaining traction over the last couple of years, according to the RWJF which has worked to improve health and health care for the past 40 years. 

EDISON, NJ–Walmart announced on February 19 that it would raise hourly wages for 500,000 of its employees.

The retailer said that all hourly employees would see their wages increased to at least $9 per hour by April and $10 by February 2016. Some store managers will get raises as well.

The move, called "a bold new initiative on pay and training for U.S. associates,” by Walmart CEO Doug McMillon in the company’s latest earnings release, will cost Walmart $1 billion and affect some 500,000 employees.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–Johnson & Johnson is reportedly in talks to sell its Cordis subsidiary to Cardinal Health Inc, according to a report from Bloomberg, which cited unnamed people who have knowledge of the matter.

FRANKLIN, NJ—Family Dollar Stores Inc. recalled about 254,000 auto carrier toy sets due to a laceration hazard on February 4, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The plastic toy truck, which is 14 inches , 3 inches wide, and 5 inches high, has a plastic case that holds 6 die-cast metal toy cars in assorted colors.